Judge Tracie Hunter to be jailed during her appeal

Judge Tracie Hunter, surrounded by her body guards, at Friday's sentencing. Judge Nadel says she must begin serving the 6 months in jail December 29.

Ann Thompson
/ WVXU

Hamilton County Judge Norbert Nadel has decided Judge Tracie Hunter will not be able to remain free during the appeal of her conviction of having an unlawful interest in a public contract.

Tuesday morning, Nadel ruled that Hunter must start serving her six month jail sentence December 29.

At Friday's sentencing hearing, Hunter and her attorney asked for the sentence to be stayed. Attorney Clyde Bennett said he was not surprised with the sentence. "It could have been worse. We are going through trials and tribulations now. Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning. Our morning is coming."

Prosecutor Scott Croswell said Friday it's a sad day for the community and for the justice system, but Hunter took an oath and must uphold it.

On Monday, Hamilton County Democratic Party chairman Tim Burke wrote a letter to Nadel urging him to reconsider the jail sentence or grant the motion to delay the serving of Hunter's sentence "until her appeal rights have been exhausted." The letter was signed by 56 people, many of them influential Democrats and elected officials. Below is the letter and a press release issued by Burke today:

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Hamilton County Judge Norbert Nadel acknowledged during sentencing that Tracie Hunter committed a low-level felony and was a first time offender, but said he couldn't get past the "dilemma of a double whammy," and that's why he sentenced her to six months in jail and six months probation.

When explaining the double whammy he said, "Judge Hunter is a judge and a public official and unfortunately it maybe a felony 4 but it's a double whammy."

After hearing the verdict one Hunter supporter cursed Judge Nadel and was thrown out of the courtroom.

After deliberating four days, a Hamilton County jury has found suspended Juvenile Court Judge Tracie Hunter guilty of having an unlawful interest in a public contract. However the jury was not able to reach verdicts on the remaining eight counts.

Hunter's attorney, Clyde Bennett II, says he will appeal.

In January, a Hamilton County Grand Jury indicted Hunter on the following counts: